Weekends away and family times

We have been away this weekend to Ashbourne in Derbyshire. We had a great time, the sun was shining despite wind and a chill. We visited Chatsworth House, Ilam Hall and the river with stepping stones at Dove Dale.It was lovely spending time with our little nephew Lucas, and for us learning about what it is like to travel with 2 children. (The car was so packed full; I think we take just as much for a weekend as we do for a week!)

In the Bjorn for the first time and very cosy!

Never too cold for ice-cream

Chilling out with the crossword

Nice red leaves, but I am not eating them!

Emily really liked the apple sculpture.

Cousins chilling out before bathtimeTwo boys who will be up to mischief in no time at all!

Joel is doing a little better, he put on 5 oz last week, he needs to put on much more to prove that he is growing and not just staying or maintaining. He had a jab of antibodies to protect him from Bronchilitis ( each jab costs £500 and he needs one every 28 days until March or April) and he has kept his tube in for over a week!

My parents came to visit before they go back to Romania tomorrow. We had lots of fun out and about.

Playing hospitals with Granny

Emily is being potty trained, she was doing well until this weekend. Today just one accident at our childminders so hopefully she is back to dry days. We need to crack that before we attempt nights.

Our house is being rewired next week, we have a great electrician who hopes to do it quickly and without making to much mess. Our floors need to come up in at least 2 rooms and we will need to redecorate at least 2 walls per room, it will be messy but it needs to be done!

We are waiting to find out on Wednesday if we can go to Northern Ireland at half term, we need to be out of the house as we will have no electricity. It will be nice to see my siblings and brother in laws as well as our 2 nieces and nephew. Hopefully the paediatrician will give us the ok!

I had a miracle today. The hospital where I have to take Joel is building a new carpark so it has closed one of the current ones leaving a mass shortage of spaces. Last week I tried for 35 mins to find one and was slightly late to our appointment. I was talking to our electrician who lives in the area who has a friend who has a double driveway 5 mins walk from the hospital. She phoned tonight to offer us the driveway at any time. Not only will it save me a lot of stress but money too. How cool is that? The lady has never met me but is willing to share her drive with me.

Also, when we arrived home yesterday our neighbour arrive with a pumpkin from her allotment for us to cook or carve. What a great neighbour. I am not sure if I have ever seen a dirty pumpkin before, only the shiny, clean ones from Tesco!

At last a family photo with all four of us standing up and with clothes on!